Sara Leonard

1. There have been many advances in trends and changes for the reproductive options. For a women who can't get pregnant, she has the choice of either implanting a fertilized egg or using another woman as a surrogate mother. Fertility treatments are also available so women can more easily become pregnant, no matter the age. Unwanted pregnancies can be avoided by the use of birth contraceptives, such as birth control and condoms. For treating diseases, surgeries and treatments, such as chemotherapy, can remove any form of cancer, whether it be breast, cervix, or ovarian. Procedures such as hysterectomy allow women to remove the uterus if complications occur.

2. The reproductive systems are like dominoes because each part closely intertwines, and when one part fails, every other part subsequently fails. For example, the egg travels from the ovaries, through the fallopian tubes, to the uterus. If the fertilized egg becomes lodged in the fallopian tubes, the egg will start to grow and rupture the tube because of its growing size. The mother should immediately notify her doctor to see what steps she should take.

Slide One:
Lea’s Shield; Sarah Leonard, December 6, 2009, Mrs. Halpern, Grade 12, Period 3

Slide Two:
Lea’s Shield was introduced in 2002, so it is a fairly new form of birth control. If a woman chooses not to use other contraceptives, such as the female condom or birth control pill, Lea’s Shield is a safe alternative to prevent unwanted pregnancies. This contraceptive is reusable and hormone-free, which greatly attracts women.

Slide Three:
Barrier; prescribed

Slide Four:
Being a barrier method of birth control, sperm is blocked from entering the uterus. It covers the cervix completely, allowing no sperm to fertilize an egg. The shield is held in place by the walls of the vagina, holding it in place during sex. Spermicide also kills the sperm, which provides greater protection against pregnancy.

Slide Five:
Lea’s Shield costs $65. There is also an exam to explain how to insert and remove it, which costs $50 to $200. It is obtained through a doctor.

Slide Six:
The effectiveness rate is around 85 percent: with spermicide Lea’s Shield is 93 percent effective. Women who have given birth may find it to have a higher failure rate than women who have not had children. Using Lea’s Shield consistently and correctly provides better protection against pregnancy.

Slide Seven:
Women who want to control their pregnancies should use this birth control. Women who cannot take hormonal birth controls methods or think diaphragms and cervical caps are irritable may take Lea’s Shield.

Slide Eight:
Advantages include:
1. Lea’s Shield fits all women and does not need to be specially designed.
2. Women can still maintain a regular period while using the shield.
3. It is reusable, and it works for 6 months.
4. There are few side effects when using Lea’s Shield.

Slide Nine:
Disadvantages include:
1. It has a higher failure rate than most other birth controls.
2. Although it reduces the chance of STD’s, it does not protect against STI’s.
3. While using Lea’s Shield, women are more likely to get toxic shock syndrome, bladder infections, and vaginal infections.

Slide Ten:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/leas-shield/BI00010
http://www.epigee.org/guide/leas_shield.html
http://www.contracept.org/leas-shield.php

December 16, 2009
Ultrasounds are taken throughout the entire pregnancy. The first ultrasound occurs at 8 weeks to check on the progression of the pregnancy. You take a nuchal scan at 11-12 weeks to check for Down’s syndrome. Another scan will be taken around weeks 17-20 to examine the baby’s legs, arms, spine, heart, and kidneys to assure they are growing perfectly. At this point, you can also identify the sex of the baby. Ultrasounds are performed in a doctor’s office. Ultrasounds are used to conform the baby is healthy and growing properly.

CVS, or Chorionic Villus Sampling, is usually taken between 10 and 12 weeks after a woman’s last menstrual period. CVS is performed at this test recognizes chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome and other genetic disorders

Glucose Screening and Tolerance tests are done around 24 to 28 weeks in the pregnancy. If a woman has gestational diabetes before then, or a doctor is concerned about the baby developing gestational diabetes, tests can be taken before the 13th week of pregnancy. Glucose Screening and Tolerance tests are done in a hospital because blood work is required to perform the test. Glucose Screening and Tolerance test checks for gestational diabetes.

Group B Strep test should be given during weeks 35 to 37. This test is done in the doctor’s office. Group B Strep tests check for Group B streptococcus, which is a type of bacterial infection that can be found in a pregnant woman’s vagina or rectum. If not treated, this can pass from the mother to the baby during pregnancy.

Amniocentesis is usually performed when the woman is between 16 and 20 weeks of her pregnancy. This test is taken in the hospital because a needle is inserted in the amniotic fluid in order to take a sample. Equipment is needed to direct the needle so that the fetus is not harmed. Amniocentesis is checking for abnormalities in the fetus.